Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Dad roots around in the freezer and isn’t quiet about it, which is likely the reason Mom shows up next.
“What are you two up to?” she asks just as Dad pulls out a gallon of vanilla ice cream. “Oh, I see. Want me to make something to eat?”
“No, Mom,” I say just as Dad murmurs, “All good.”
“Then grab me a spoon,” she says, pulling out a seat across from me.
Dad smirks as he reaches for two bowls.
“Sure you don’t want any?” Dad asks me as he scoops ice cream for Mom.
I shake my head and look away, guilt making my stomach queasy.
“Is something wrong?” Mom asks, tapping my hand. “Is it Dawson?”
“No, that’s actually going great.”
“Glad to hear it.” She digs into her late-night snack. “So glad you invited him.”
“Me too. Well, sort of…” I sit up straighter. “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” Dad sets his spoon down, he and Mom sharing a somber look.
“It’s nothing serious,” I reassure them. “It has to do with my dating life. I wasn’t originally going to bring Dawson.”
Mom’s forehead wrinkles. “Why not?”
God, this is so awkward. I scrub a hand down my face. “Don’t get me wrong, I was excited to finally have someone to bring home. My track record hasn’t been the best. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t tell you I was seeing someone until right before this trip.”
“You just hadn’t found anyone worthy of you,” Mom says in that same tone she’s used over the years after one breakup or another. She was pretty upset about what had transpired with Mark, eventually chalking it up to young love after he returned to town and married Michael.
“It’s my fault too. I keep choosing the same kind of men. Guys who only want something casual or are emotionally unavailable.”
“The important thing is that you recognize it,” Dad replies. “You’ll be learning and growing your entire life.”
Mom’s gaze shoots toward the stairs as if something is dawning on her. “Honey, are you sure this isn’t about Dawson?”
“Actually, it is,” I admit, and she frowns. “The truth is…I was originally dating his twin brother, Nathan, but he dumped me right before the holiday.”
“That’s rude,” Mom scoffs, and God, I love her for always wanting to protect me.
She glances toward Dad, likely trying to process what I’m telling them.
Dad voices it out loud for both of them. “I think we’re confused how Dawson figures into this.”
“Dawson and I had been friendly even before I was dating Nathan. He and his brother are so different, so it didn’t surprise me that Dawson tried to console me after he witnessed our breakup at Sip and Savor.” I shift uncomfortably as Mom and Dad keep trading bewildered glances. “I suggested he take his brother’s place on this trip—as a joke, mostly—but he said yes. So we decided to spend the holiday together as friends.”
“Friends?” Mom’s face is registering a variety of emotions. “So you’ve only been pretending to be boyfriends?”
She glances at Dad, who says, “But you seem like more.”
“We were only pretending at first. And then it became real. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you the truth sooner.”
“Are you saying you developed feelings for the wrong guy?” Dad asks.
“Actually, it seems more like the right guy,” Mom replies, then shoots me a disapproving look. “Honey, we would’ve supported you no matter what.”
“I know. God, it was a dumb idea. Please don’t blame Dawson.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it.” Mom lowers her voice as if he’ll overhear. “Besides, it sounds like maybe he needed some family around him.”
“I thought the same thing.” I shake off how he sounded recounting his conversation with his parents. “Plus, he really loves it here.”
“Well, he’s welcome anytime,” Dad says in that decisive tone that tells me it’s settled, at least where he’s concerned.
“Although I think he needs to fess up to his brother,” Mom adds.
“He did. He asked his permission.”
Mom’s smile is dreamy. “I knew he was special.”
I nod, my stomach constricting. “It’s why I’m scared that this is too good to be true.”
“Maybe there’s a reason we thought you two seemed cozy from the start.” Mom winks. “Can you really fake that?”
I dip my head as my face heats, hoping she’s right.
14
DAWSON
I let out a low, sated moan, waking up with Briar in my arms. I still can’t believe everything that happened last night, everything that happened on this whole trip, if I’m being honest.
He releases a soft, breathy sound, gives his familiar mumble and then the most relaxing sigh, pushing his ass back against my groin before turning around to face me. Briar’s eyes flutter, like he’s still trying to wake up. It takes a moment before he’s able to zero in on me, and ridiculously, I hold my breath, waiting, like even though he’s got a content smile on his face, I’m afraid he’ll tell me last night was too much, too fast.